Philippines

EXPLOREThe PHILIPPINES Your Comprehensive Destination Guide At a Glance Total area: 300,000 km² (115,831 sq mi) Capital: Manila Religion: Christianity (~90%, mostly Roman Catholic); minority Muslim and Indigenous groups Population: Approx. 114 million Language: Filipino (Tagalog) and English (both official); regional languages include Cebuano, Ilocano, Waray Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP) Banking Hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 am–3:00 pm  Telephone/Communication: The country code is +63. The major carriers are Globe and Smart (SIM cards are widely available with passports). Wi-Fi is standard in cities and resorts but may be limited on remote islands. Climate: Dry Season (Dec-May): Peak tourism time (cooler and sunny) Wet Season (Jun–Nov): Typhoon risk, especially July–Sept VAT in the Philippines Unlike some countries in Asia or Europe, the Philippines does not currently offer a VAT refund scheme for foreign tourists. All prices already include VAT, and travelers cannot reclaim it upon departure.   Additional Tips Currency Restrictions: Travelers may bring in or take out up to PHP 50,000 or USD 10,000 without declaring it. Any amounts exceeding this must be declared to Philippine customs authorities. Travel Insurance: We recommend obtaining travel insurance that covers medical expenses and potential trip disruptions, even though it’s not mandatory. Just stay informed: Entry requirements can change. It’s advisable to check with or for the most current information before your trip. Travel Requirements Visa-Free Entry: U.S. passport holders can enter the Philippines without a visa for stays up to 30 days, provided they have a return or onward ticket and a passport valid for at least six months beyond their intended stay. Passport Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date from the Philippines. eTravel Registration: Visitors must register using the Philippines’ eTravel portal before arrival. This registration is mandatory for entry. i COVID-19 Requirements: Vaccination: Fully vaccinated travelers (those who have received the final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before departure) are not required to present a negative COVID-19 test result before departure. Unvaccinated or Partially Vaccinated Travelers: These travelers may be subject to additional requirements, such as presenting a negative COVID-19 test result or undergoing quarantine upon arrival. It’s best to check the latest guidelines before travel. Health and Safety Protocols: While no quarantine measures exist, temperature checks may still occur at some entry points. Getting there from the US Main International Airports: Manila (MNL—Ninoy Aquino International Airport) Cebu (CEB – Mactan-Cebu International Airport) Common Airlines: Philippine Airlines, EVA Air, Cathay Pacific, ANA, United Flight Duration: From L.A. or San Francisco to Manila: ~14–17 hours (often nonstop or one layover) Travel Safety Tips   Before you Go   Avoiding these regions Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago, and the Zamboanga Peninsula have ongoing travel advisories due to terrorism and civil unrest. Avoiding these regions unless you’re traveling with a reputable local guide or organization is best. Watch Your Belongings Petty theft, pickpocketing, and bag snatching occur, especially in crowded areas like Manila, Cebu, and popular tourist spots. Use anti-theft bags and avoid displaying expensive items like jewelry, phones, or large amounts of cash. Use Authorized Transportation Use registered taxis, Grab (ride-hailing app), or hotel-arranged transport. You can avoid unmarked vehicles or accepting unsolicited transport offers at airports or busy terminals. Respect Local Laws and Customs Drug laws are stringent. Avoid any involvement with illegal substances. Urban areas generally accept public displays of affection, but rural or conservative areas should be more reserved. Health & Hygiene Drink bottled or purified water. Carry mosquito repellent—dengue and chikungunya are present in tropical areas. Consider vaccinations (hepatitis A, typhoid, and rabies, depending on your itinerary). Be Weather Aware The Philippines is prone to typhoons and floods, especially from June to November. Monitor weather reports and sign up for alerts through the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) or your embassy’s travel registration service. Natural Disaster Preparedness Earthquakes and volcanic activity are possible. Know basic evacuation procedures and identify safety zones in your accommodations. Stay Connected Always keep your phone charged and have a local SIM or roaming data. Save emergency numbers. Police/Fire/Ambulance: 911 Tourist Assistance: The Department of Tourism’s hotline is 1-386 Use ATMs Safely Use ATMs inside malls or banks rather than standalone machines on the street. Skimming fraud can happen, so shield your PIN and monitor your account for suspicious activity. Travel Insurance Highly recommended! Make sure your travel insurance covers: Medical evacuation Natural disasters Theft or loss Fun Facts! Archipelago of Over 7,000 Islands. The Philippines consists of 7,641 islands, but only around 2,000 are inhabited. At low tide, even more islands emerge! World’s Longest Christmas Season. Filipinos celebrate Christmas as early as September, and the festivities continue until January. It’s the longest Christmas season in the world! Jeepneys are iconic. The colorful jeepney, a WWII-era U.S. military jeep converted for public transport, is a national symbol and remains widely used. Texting Capital of the World. Filipinos once sent over a billion text messages daily, earning the title “Texting Capital of the World.” The Only Christian Nation in Asia. The Philippines is the only predominantly Christian nation in Asia, with over 86% of its population being Roman Catholic. The Philippines is also home to the world’s smallest primate. The Philippine Tarsier is one of the smallest primates in the world—about the size of a human fist—and it can rotate its head nearly 180 degrees! English is widely spoken. The Philippines is the third-largest English-speaking country in the world in terms of population, after the U.S. and India. Unique Volcano Within a Lake. Taal Volcano is one of the few volcanoes in the world situated within a lake (Taal Lake) on an island in a larger lake on Luzon Island. A Karaoke-Loving Nation. Karaoke is a national pastime, and a Filipino named Roberto del Rosario invented the karaoke machine, which he called the “Sing-Along System.” Names and Nicknames Abound. Many Filipinos have two first names and often use a nickname unrelated to their actual name (e.g., someone named Maria Isabella might go